Avian gait analysis

Modern broilers have difficulty walking, and there is ongoing debate as to whether the birds are in pain. Most gait analysis of poultry consists of visual assessment and scoring, and the results are therefore very subjective. In order to describe and quantify gait patterns accurately, a more objective method is required. Only then can differences between the gait of normal chickens and modem broilers be properly described, and attempts made to determine whether the observed gait patterns are the result of the conformation of the birds, or the presence of pain.Two methods were used in this research. The pedobarograph is a relatively novel method of gait analysis for animals which enables footfall patterns to be recorded, enabling spatial parameters (step length, width and angle) and plantar pressure patterns to be described and measured. A Kistler force plate was then used to measure the three - dimensional ground reaction forces (GRF's) produced during walking. Speed and cadence can be calculated using either system.Gait patterns are described for normal birds, and for different strains of broilers, raised on different feeding regimes. All the gait parameters were very variable, both between birds, and within the same bird, even when bodyweight and speed were controlled for. Despite the high variability, however, significant differences were identified in many of the gait parameters between the different groups.The vertical and craniocaudal GRF's of Brown Leghorns showed similar characteristics to those produced in human walking. The peak vertical forces were of a similar order of magnitude in the birds as in humans (125 -150 % bodyweight), and the peak craniocaudal forces, and rate of change of force, were closely tied to speed. All the GRF's in the birds increased significantly with increasing speed, except for braking rate (which was more variable) and stance time (which decreased significantly). The mediolateral forces were much greater in the birds than have been reported for other species, however, with peaks of 10 -22% bodyweight. Analysis of plantar pressures showed that the pressures were concentrated on the digital pads, with the lowest pressures on the metatarsal pad ( <131 kNm "2), and highest pressures on the medial toe (up to 218 kNm "2).Combined gait analysis and morphometric studies of ad libitum -fed selected broilers identified many ways in which their gait deviated from that of relaxed broilers and Brown Leghorns, in ways which would serve to increase stability and decrease stresses on the skeleton. The ad libitum -fed selected birds (compared to restricted -fed strain -mates and relaxed birds of the same weight), had more breast muscle anteriorly, and shorter, wider legs, but with immature bones, of lower % ash content. They moved more slowly, taking short steps, and positioned their feet wide apart and turned `toe -out' to increase their walking base. They kept their feet on the ground for longer, with short swing periods, and long double contact times. Decreasing the unstable periods of single support, and increasing the stance periods, reduces the peak forces on the skeleton. The slow speed and short steps also reduce the vertical excursions of the centre of gravity. The very wide walking base results in abnormally large mediolateral forces being required to move the centre of gravity over the stance leg, however, increasing the inefficiency of the gait, leading to fatigue. Mediolateral forces in ad libitum -fed selected birds averaged 17 -21% bodyweight at 6 weeks, compared to 10 -11% in the Brown Leghorns, and <5 -8% in humans (Biewener, 1992).Changes in the GRF's were also demonstrated in the slower growing (restricted -fed) broilers with age. In these birds, both the peak vertical forces and the peak mediolateral forces decreased with age, despite the fact that the birds increased in size (and girth) and their speed of movement remained similar. This indicates that the birds developed gait optimisations as they grew (as is the case with children), possibly because the slower growth allowed the body to develop more in proportion.Analysis of the gait of a small number of lame birds demonstrated marked differences in the spatial and force parameters between the sound and lame limb. The peak forces on the lame leg were dramatically reduced, and compensatory increases were seen in the GRF's of the sound limb. The birds used several methods to avoid fully loading the lame leg: flapping the wings to raise the centre of gravity, pushing up on the sound limb prior to placing the lame leg down, and flexing the lame limb as it starts to weightbear.There were no changes in the GRF's or temporal parameters of gait of broilers given analgesic (carprofen). Unfortunately, this does not prove conclusively that the birds were not in pain, as analgesic efficacy has not been validated in broilers, and it is also possible that the parameters under test do not change in the presence of pain. However the incidental finding of old blood in synovial fluid samples of over 50% of the ad libitum -fed broilers adds to the welfare concerns. A second interesting finding was the high alkalinity of the fluid (median pH 8.15 - 8.40), with the possible consequences on intra- articular pharmacodynamics. Although the analgesic study proved inconclusive, results of the gait and morphometric studies demonstrate that it is possible to explain the gait patterns of ad libitum -fed selected broilers based on their body conformation alone

Alcohol advertising during televised Australian Football finals

Alcohol marketing during sport, and alcohol industry sponsorship of sporting events, is highly lucrative; however, concerns have been raised over the impact on child and adolescent viewers of repeated exposure to alcohol marketing messages. The aim of this research project was to investigate the amount and type of alcohol marketing during two major sporting events in 2012 - the semi-finals and grand final of the AFL and NRL. The broadcasts of these six games were audited for alcohol advertisements and other advertising communications. Almost one-fifth of the screen time included alcohol marketing. Policy and practice implications of these findings are discussed

Assessment of potential maladaptive pain in dogs with elbow osteoarthritis using a Von Frey Aesthesiometer

Background This study aimed to investigate the possible presence of maladaptive pain in the thoracic limbs of dogs with elbow osteoarthritis (OA) using an electronic von Frey aesthesiometer (eVFA). Methods Twenty-eight client- and staff-owned dogs (OA, n = 14; controls, n = 14) were enrolled in the study. Every dog underwent a full orthopaedic examination, and then five von Frey measurements were obtained from each carpal pad of each dog. A maximum test threshold of 400 g was set and approved by an ethics committee. Results eVFA thresholds were significantly lower (p &lt; 0.001) in dogs with OA (median 248 g, range 128–369 g) than in control dogs (median 390 g, range 371–400 g). In the OA group, the sensory threshold was significantly lower (p = 0.048) in the more severely affected limb than the less severely affected limb. Limitation The low maximum threshold required for ethical approval may influence the variability in the control group. Conclusions Dogs with elbow OA had significantly lower sensory thresholds than control dogs, which is compatible with the presence of maladaptive pain, potentially due to central sensitisation. Further research is required to evaluate the potential use of the eVFA for monitoring clinical progression and treatment response in dogs with elbow OA

Cat and dog owners’ expectations and attitudes towards advanced veterinary care (AVC) in the UK, Austria and Denmark

Modern veterinary medicine offers a level of care to cats and dogs similar to that available to their owners, including blood transfusions, chemotherapy and MRI scans. The potential benefits to the animals of owners who can afford such care are obvious, but there can also be negative consequences if owners with strong emotional attachments to their pets pursue treatments that significantly reduce the quality of the animal’s life while attempting to prolong it. Moreover, caring for a chronically or seriously ill animal can lead to emotional distress and financial and practical challenges for the pet owner. A questionnaire was used to survey cat and dog owners from representative samples of citizens in the UK, Austria and Denmark, to investigate owners’ expectations and attitudes towards advanced veterinary care, and the factors that might influence those views. Overall, 58.4% of the pet owners surveyed believed that their pets should have access to the same treatment options as humans, while 51.5% believed that they should have access to the same diagnostic tests as humans. Owners were most likely to be neutral on the question of whether advanced veterinary care has ‘gone too far’ (45.3%), and to disagree with the statement that advanced care is ‘unnecessary’ (40.1%). In all three countries, the level of attachment owners had to their pets was most strongly associated with attitudes towards advanced care, with owners scoring higher on Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) being more likely to expect advanced care to be available. Other factors such as owner age, living situation (alone or not), income or possession of pet insurance were less consistently with owner attitudes. Our findings will help inform veterinarians and other health care providers about pet owner expectations and attitudes towards advanced veterinary care, and contribute to the debate on increasing specialisation within the profession

Compete or cooperate with ‘Dr. Google’? Small animal veterinarians’ attitudes towards clients’ use of internet resources—a comparative study across Austria, Denmark and the UK

Veterinary medicine is increasingly affected by animal owners having the opportunity to become better informed on pet health issues by using various internet resources. Using an online questionnaire including a section on clients’ use of internet resources to obtain medical information, this study aimed to investigate veterinarians’ estimates of the percentage of clients using internet resources, how often clients question veterinarians’ professional medical advice based on online information, and veterinarians’ attitudes towards clients’ use of internet resources, across Austrian, Danish, and UK veterinarians (n = 641). The results show that 48.8% of respondents estimated that 40–79% of their clients use internet resources to find medical information. Further, 70–80% of respondents stated that they are occasionally challenged by clients questioning their advice based on online information. Although veterinarians recognized the potential advantages related to clients’ use of internet resources, such as an increased acceptance of advanced diagnostics and treatments, they also highlighted clients’ increased expectations or false impressions of small animal practices as potentially negative aspects in this context. As internet use increases, it seems likely that these issues will become increasingly important in the future

Bioengineering an osteoinductive treatment for bone healing disorders: a small animal case series

The aim of this article was to study clinical and radiographic outcomes following treatment of bone healing disorders with a novel osteoinductive system that utilizes poly (ethyl acrylate), fibronectin and an ultra-low concentration of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. A case series of nine dogs and two cats were treated, and clinical records and radiographs were reviewed. Radiographs were scored by two blinded observers using the modified Radiographic Union Score for Tibial Fractures. Long-term follow-up was obtained using the Canine Orthopaedic Index and Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index. Follow-up data were available for 11 treatments (10 cases). Complications: three minor, three major, one catastrophic (non-union requiring amputation). Lameness median 320 (range: 42–1,082) days postoperatively: ‘sound’ (three cases), ‘subtle’ (two), ‘mild’ (three), ‘moderate’ (one), and ‘non-weightbearing’ (one). The attending clinician judged 9 of 11 treatments achieved radiographic union; modified Radiographic Union Score for Tibial Fractures observers 1 and 2 agreed with the clinician in 8/9 and 5/9 treatments respectively. Long-term Canine Orthopaedic Index scores for five dogs median 650 (range: 544–1,724) days postoperatively: 15/64 (median) for four dogs with acceptable outcomes, 30/64 in one dog with a poor outcome. Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index scores for two cats 433 and 751 days postoperatively: 48/60 and 60/60. Eight of 10 cases were sound or showed subtle or mild lameness in the short- or long-term, and radiographic union occurred in the majority of treatments

The SPRY domain–containing SOCS box protein SPSB2 targets iNOS for proteasomal degradation

Macrophages lacking SPSB2 have increased NO production and enhanced pathogen-killing capabilities due to decreased ubiquitin-mediated destruction of iNOS